Café del Oriente: Best Burger

21st July 2015

By Havana Insider

Don’t let the title fool you. This is one of the most upscale restaurants in Havana, located in Plaza de San Francisco in Habana Vieja (the very professional and jacketed waiters traded off-street salsa with classic live piano performances). The décor is striking and grandiose; you’ll regret it if you are a bit under dressed. At dinner, the restaurant is packed with diplomats, foreign businessmen, and tourists of a gracious sort. The grilled fish (several varieties) served with peppers, onions and tomatoes was a hit on successive nights. This is one of the few places in Havana where you can get caviar or foie gras – or where it fits. But, counterintuitively, the real gem here is an amazingly tasty barbecued beef burger, inarguably the best in Havana. At only $5 CUC, it is also one of the best food values in town. Other main courses here easily top $20 CUC. The beef is amazing. It reminds you of great Texas barbecue. The burger is served on a fine plate with a knife and fork. But, when a burger is that good, you just want to grab it with your hands and have a big bite. Don’t mind the grand surroundings. Folks who have tried the burger here will understand.